Over the last century, medicine has evolved into a sophisticated complex science that requires a set of specialized skills to decode and analyze all the available clinical data and deduce an expert conclusion. While such division potentially leads to fragmentation of care, it is unavoidable if expertise is revered. An expert, by virtue of dedicated training and experience, is able to perform at a much higher level. Needless to say that we
have a plethora of specialists who focus their work on a particular aspect of human health and ailment.While it addresses the need, it does introduce another confusing element: which specialist to approach for a particular ailment. Ideally, a patient should seek guidance of General Physician to start with and take it from there. It ensures that you get comprehensive care that you deserve.
This article lists medical specialists you may encounter and their area of expertise. As you go through the list, please pay attention to whether they are medical experts, or surgical experts, and also the academic background.
Typical duration of medical studies: MBBS: 5.5 years (+ government mandated rural service, if any)
MD: 3 years (+ government mandated rural service, if any)
DM: 3 years (+ government mandated rural service, if any)
MS: 3 years (+ government mandated rural service, if any)
MCh: 3 years (+ government mandated rural service, if any)
BDS: 4 years (+ government mandated rural service, if any)
Additional training can range anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
General Physician (or Medicine, Internal Medicine, Internist): Medical doctor who has basic knowledge of all body systems. These doctors typically are the first point of contact for any problem. They do initial evaluation and treatment, and refer to specialists if required. By virtue of familiarity with all body systems, they are best suited to assimilate all the available information, and deduce conclusions which at times become difficult for specialists who are focused on one particular body system. (MBBS + MD)
General Surgeon: They are surgical counterparts of General Physician. They have a broad understanding of most of surgical needs, are able to perform basic surgeries involving variety of body parts. They refer patients to specialist surgeons as required. (MBBS + MS)
Cardiologist: Medical specialists for heart related issues. (MBBS + MD + DM)
Interventional Cardiologist: Cardiologists who specialize in interventions like angiograpy and angioplasty. (MBBS + MD + DM + Additional training)
Electrophysiologist (EP): Cardiologists who specialize in rhythm disorders. They also deal with pacemakers and defibrillators. (MBBS + MD + DM + Additional training)
Cardio-thoracic Surgery (CTVS): Surgical specialists who deal with heart, lungs, and other organs of the chest. They do bypass surgeries, valve replacements, lung surgeries etc. (MBBS + MS + MCh)
Vascular Surgery: Surgical specialists who deal with diseases of blood vessels of entire body except the Heart. Few vascular surgeons do catheter based interventions, just like Interventional Cardiologists, Interventional Neurologists, or Interventional Radiologists. (MBBS + MS + MCh)
Neurologist: Medical experts for brain and spinal cord. They deal with stroke (paralysis), epilepsy and other related issues. (MBBS + MD)
Interventional Neurologist: Neurologists which additional expertise in performing catheter based interventions (minimally invasive) of the brain, particularly during stroke (paralysis). (MBBS + MD + Additional training)
Neurosurgery: Surgical experts for brain and spinal cord related issues. (MBBS + MS + MCh)
Gastroenterologist (GI): Medical specialists who deal with issues related to abdomen (like stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas etc.). They perform endoscopy, colonoscopy and related procedures. (MBBS + MD + DM)
Surgical Gastroenterology (or Gastro-Intestinal Surgeon): Surgical specialists who performs surgery on abdominal organs. They also do laparoscopic surgeries (few laparoscopic surgeries are also done by general surgeons). (MBBS + MS + MCh)
Nephrologist: Medical specialists for kidney related disorders. They also manage dialysis. (MBBS + MD + DM)
Urologist: Surgical specialist for kidney related disorders. They do surgeries on kidney, urinary bladder etc. Few Urologists do kidney transplants as well. (MBBS + MS + MCh)
Pediatrics: Medical doctor for kids (age less than 18 years) (MBBS + MD)
Endocrinologist: Medical specialists who deal with hormones. They are experts on Diabetes, Thyroid related disorders, gender related hormones, and many more. They are also medical specialist for bone health. (MBBS + MD + DM)
Rheumatologist: Medical specialists who deal with immune system related disorders. They take care of many joint issues like Rheumatoid Arthritis, skin diseases like Psoriasis, general body diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and many more. (MBBS + MD + DM)
Radiologist: Experts who deal with x-ray, CT scan, MRI etc. (MBBS + MD)
Interventional radiologist: Radiologist with expertise in catheter based interventions. (MBBS + MD + Additional training)
Oncologist: Medical experts who deal with cancer. (MBBS + MD + DM)
Hematologist: Medical experts who deal with disorders of blood including blood cancers, and bone marrow transplants. Most commonly Hematology and Oncology is combined into a single specialty. (MBBS + MD + DM)
Surgical Oncologist: Surgical experts who performs cancer related surgery. (MBBS + MS + Additional training)
Pulmonologist: Medical specialists who deal with disorders of lungs. They perform bronchoscopy (MBBS + MD + DM)
Intensivist: Medical specialists who address critical care needs of patients in Intensive Care Unit. (MBBS + MD + Additional training)
Anesthesiologist: Medical specialists who deal with anesthesia and pain management. (MBBS + MD)
Sleep Medicine: Specialists from various branches who focus their work in sleep medicine. They can be Pulmonologist, Neurologist, or Anesthesiologist. (MBBS + MD + Additional training)
Dermatologist: Medical specialists for skin related disorders. (MBBS + MD)
Psychiatrist: Medical specialists who deal with mental disorders. (MBBS + MD)
Psychologist: Medical specialists who deal with behavior and mood related disorders. (Separate course)
Orthopedics: Surgical specialists for bone related issues. They deal with bone fractures, bone cancers, joint replacements etc. (MBBS + MS)
Obstetrics: Surgical specialists who deal with issues related to child birth. (MBBS + MS)
Gynaecologist: Surgical specialists who deal with women health. Most commonly Obstetrics and Gynaecology is combined into a single specialty. (MBBS + MS
Ophthalmologist: Surgical specialists who deal with eye. (MBBS + MS)
Emergency Medicine: Hybrid specialists who handle general emergencies in the Emergency room. (MBBS ± MD/MS + Additional training)
ENT (Ear Nose and Throat or Otorhinolaryngologist): Surgical specialist of ear, nose, and throat. (MBBS + MS)
Dentist: Teeth specialists (BDS ± Additional training depending on expertise)
I am certain I haven't listed all the specialists that one may encounter. If you see someone whose expertise is not listed above, please do write in comment below and I will include it in the list. Thank you
Medical disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.